Sunday, August 1, 2010

Life has a way of taking one places based on their actions. For Lolita Lebrón, born and raised in Lares, Puerto Rico, her actions would take her to the United States House of Representatives on March 1, 1954. That day, 56 years ago, stamped Lolita and her compatriots as heroes of the Puerto Rican Nationalist movement.Serving 25 years of a 70 year sentence before being pardoned in 1979 by then President Jimmy Carter. She remained steadfast in her nationalistic views. It was one her compatriots, Don Rafael Cancel Miranda, who said it perfectly, “When you are real, there is no power in the world that can make you change, or bow your heads.” This is exactly the way she lived her life.

Another quote that exemplifies her life is that of Don Pedro Albizu Campos, "La Patria es valor y sacrificio." To those who cherish all that is Puerto Rico, she will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Lolita Lebrón.